BEACON February 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

8/7/2019 BEACON February 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/beacon-february-2011-unity-temple-unitarian-universalist-congregation 1/12

B E A C O Nn i t y T e m p l e U n i t a r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t C o n g r e g a t i o n

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

I ’ve been thinking a lot about the cold lately.

Perhaps you have, too. A temperature in a single

digit tends to focus one’s attention in that way. As does

an office heater that’s blowing cold air (mine, briefly) or

a furnace on the fritz (as some of you have reported in

your homes). Or some other unwanted circumstance

that suddenly—and painfully—reminds us that we take

heat for granted.

When we reach these extremes of discomfort and

chill, it

suddenly

becomes

a hot

topic

of

conversation.

But alas, it is as Mark Twain was apparently wont to say,

“Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does

anything about it.”

It’s times like these that remind me to pull out the

words of Greta Crosby, wonderfully included in our gray

hymnal. “Let us not wish away the winter. It is a season

to itself, not simply the way to spring.” In other words,

there must be something to appreciate here; there must

be some reason to pay attention and find meaning in it.

She suggests, in part: “Winter dark tends to warm light:

fire and candle; winter cold to hugs and huddles; winter

want to gifts and sharing; winter danger to visions,

plans, and common endeavoring—and the zest of nar‐

row escapes; winter tedium to merry‐making.”

Words like that help me to remember the joy of flan‐

nel sheets on the bed, a long down coat that feels like a

warm hug, coming home to find a fire blazing in the fire‐

place, the aroma of a slow cooker dinner lending its

comfort to the air, and so on and so forth. You’ll have

your own list. If we only seize the attention and time to

notice, there is always something to be grateful for.

If you’re reading this column, I’m betting that Unity

Temple Unitarian

Universalist

Congregation

is

one

of

the

things that you’re grateful for. It’s a good time to be

thinking about that, since this is the time of year of our

stewardship campaign—when we ask you to reflect on

how much UTUUC means to you and to make a corre‐

sponding financial commitment to help make all that we

do possible.

Our spirits and souls have our wintry moments, just

like the weather does. Life has its daunting challenges.

It’s a comfort and a blessing to know that we can come

to our religious community and find the light of our chal‐

ice, the

warmth

of

companionship,

and

the

perspectives

FROM REV. EMILY GAGE and love

of

our

congregation.

Often,

that’s

a lot

of

what

we need to sustain us when we find that life as we know

it (or some aspect thereof) has been taken for granted.

It will probably be a while until we stop thinking and

talking about the cold. But whatever the weather, don’t

forget there’s a warm place for you here in the loving

presence of our religious community.

IN OUR PULPIT Rev. Clare Butterfield :: February 13

As Faith in Place’s executive director, Rev. Dr. Clare

Butterfield preaches and teaches regularly at congrega‐

tions throughout Illinois, while coordinating program‐

matic and organizational development. She started as

Faith in Place’s original organizer and developed the

organization’s regional scale. Prior to entering the minis‐

try, Rev. Butterfield had a career as a tax and corporate

attorney. She has a D.Min. from Chicago Theological

Seminary (2008), an M.Div. from Meadville Lombard

Theological School

(2000),

a J.D.

from

the

University

of

Illinois College of Law (1983), and a B.A. in History from

the University of Illinois (1980). As a member of our

congregation and as our community minister, Rev.

Butterfield’s eco‐ministry is embraced by UTUUC. She

preaches in our pulpit several times per year to keep us

updated on her own work and she supports our work

from Taizé services to social mission.

John Buehrens :: February 27

John Buehrens served as President of the Unitarian

Universalist Association from 1993 to 2001. He is the

author of

Understanding

the

Bible:

An

Introduction

for

Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals; and co‐author

(with Forrest Church) of A Chosen Faith: An Introduction

to Unitarian Universalism and (with Rebecca Parker) of A

House for Hope: The Promise of Progressive Religion in

the 21st Century. His latest book, Universalists and Uni ‐

tarians in America: A People’s History, will be published

in April. Minister of First Parish in Needham, Massachu‐

setts, since 2002, he is a member of the adjunct faculty

at Harvard Divinity School, a trustee of Unitarian Univer‐

salist Service Committee, and national co‐chair of Free‐

dom to

Marry

(www.

freedomtomarry.org).



2 • The Beacon

From Ian [email protected](Board President Duane Dowell: [email protected])

D

uane asked me to relieve him of writing duties for a

month and

it

is

an

honor

to

write

my

first

Board

of

Trustees column.

Two major topics have been on our minds of late—

the building and the budget. It is the time of year when

we start thinking about the budget for the next

congregational year. In fact, with an earlier annual

meeting, the process is somewhat accelerated compared

to last year. The cornerstone of the budget is the Annual

Fund Drive during which each member makes a financial

commitment to support the congregation. We must

operate under a balanced budget, and the Annual Fund

Drive’s success

determines

how

much

money

we

have

for staff salaries, building expenses, programs, etc.

Please be generous and prompt when you return your

financial commitment. Having led the Annual Fund Drive

for the past few years, I want to extend my thanks to the

newly constituted team, headed by Diane Ratekin.

As has been the case for the past few years, our core

budget challenge is paying our staff at appropriate levels

given all that they do for us. The UUA publishes salary

guidelines for most congregational jobs, and we have

chronically been below the midpoint of the ranges for a

congregation

of

our

size.

We

find

that

unacceptable

and

want to finally address the problem this year. Of course,

we now have two full time ministers, an open position

for a full time membership director, and an ongoing

need to grow our staff to meet the needs of our large

and growing congregation, so the challenges is more

acute this year. Expect to hear more on this from the

Annual Fund Drive team.

As you know from Duane Dowell's column last

month, I now chair the Unity Center Steering Commit‐

tee. Our objective is to take the Pursuit Team's vision

for Unity Center and refine it into an actionable business

plan that

will

allow

us

to

further

refine

our

capital

campaign appeal and realistically assess whether there

are sufficient donors to support the vision. This will be a

challenging process, but fortunately, we have a great

team in place to meet the challenge. We have no

shortage of good ideas and are seeking professional

input to help identify the one or two strongest, which

we will present to the combined UTUUC and UTRF

boards. You can expect to hear from the Steering

Committee as well—we view the

continued on page 4

Are YOU New? Welcome!

Introduction to Unitarian Universalism

This session is the prerequisite for the Pathways to

Membership course, and is open to anyone who would

like to learn more about Unitarian Universalist

philosophy, identity, history, and theology. For more

information and

to

register

for

this

class,

contact

Sue

Stock at [email protected] or 708‐445‐

0306. Instructor is Rev. Emily Gage. Next class date:

Sunday, February 6. Location: Unity House. No charge.

The class will be offered again on March 13.

Pathways to Membership

This two‐session class is for those who have already

taken Introduction to Unitarian Universalism. Partici‐

pants will reflect on and discuss their personal attitudes

and beliefs about religion and spirituality with others in

the class, and learn more about our congregation and its

programs. For

more

information

or

to

register

for

this

class, contact Rob Bellmar at [email protected] or

708‐763‐0260. Next class dates: Sundays, February 13

and 20. Location: Unity House. Cost: $20.00. Pathways

will be offered again on March 13 and 20.

For free childcare at all of these opportunities, contact

[email protected] at least one week in

advance.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Membership Opportunities 2

Board of Trustees 2

Annual Fund Drive 3

Community Minister 4

Music

5

Adult Religious Enrichment 6

Religious Education News 7

Chalice Circles 8

Sabbatical Minister for Pastoral Care 9

Social Mission 9

UT Restoration Foundation Events 10

February Events Not To Miss 11

INSIDE THIS ISSUE



February 2011 • 3

LIVE YOUR VALUES GIVE YOUR VALUES Annual Fund Drive StartsNow!

Our Annual

Fund

Drive

kicked

off

on

January 30, and the Drive ends on

March 6. This is the time that we all

make our annual commitment for our monetary

contribution to UTUUC for the next fiscal year, which

begins on July 1. We need to make our commitment

now, so that the Board of Trustees has enough time to

put together a budget for approval by the congregation

at our annual meeting in May.

For the last several weeks the Development

Committee held a series of conversations with members

of the

congregation

and

we

received

many

answers

to

the question about why people give to UTUUC. The

annual fund drive offers all of us the opportunity to take

a step back and reflect on our congregation. I think we

all recognize what a special place this is. We give

because we love the ministry, we appreciate the music,

our families are enriched by the programs, and we find

comfort and strength in the fellowship. But the

importance of UTUUC to us is more than each of those

things. It is a place that truly reflects our values. This

excerpt from an article by John Wolf, Minister Emeritus

of

the

All

Souls

UU

church

in

Tulsa,

reflects

this

concept

well:

There is only one reason for joining a

Unitarian Universalist church and that is: to

support it. You want to support it because it

stands against superstition and fear. Because

this church points to what is noblest and best

in human life. Because it is open to women

and men of whatever race, creed, color, place

of origin

or

sexual

orientation.

You want to support it because it is more

concerned with human beings than with

dogmas. Because it searches for the holy,

rather than dwelling upon the depraved.

Because it calls no one a sinner, yet knows how

deep is the struggle in each person’s breast

and how great is the hunger for what is good.

You want to support a UU church because

it can laugh. Because it stands for something

in a day when religion is still more concerned

with platitudes than with prejudice and war.

You want to support it not because it buys you

some insurance policy towards your funeral

service,

but

because

it

insults

neither

your

intelligence not your conscience, and because

it calls you to worship what is truly worthy of

your sacrifice. There is only one reason for

joining a Unitarian Universalist church: to

support it!

Our congregation is special to us. This concept of

truly valuing our church is why our theme for the Annual

Campaign again this year is “Live your values, Give your

values.” Each

week,

we

are

asked

to

live

our

values.

Now we are also asking you to give your values.

Because I know that you value our congregation, we

ask you all to give as much as each of you are able. We

ask you to consider increasing your commitment this

year, with a goal of giving, or moving towards giving, 5

percent of your income to UTUUC. In fact, in prior years

Reverend Taylor has encouraged all of us to give 5

percent of our income to the church, and 5 percent to

other worthy causes that we believe in. And to get us

started, I am pleased to be able to say to you that in

advance of the kickoff, we have received commitments

from the

Board

of

Trustees

as

well

as

others

in

the

congregation that reflect an average of a 10 percent

increase over last year.

Of course, there are practical reasons why we are

asking you to give, such as to contribute for those who

are unable to contribute, to make sure that our staff is

paid at least at the midpoint of the UUA’s guidelines

(which they are not right now), to increase our presence

in the community and the world, and to make sure we

have the programs and the support that our congrega‐

tion needs. But more than those practical reasons, we

ask you

to

make

sure

that

your

commitment

for

next

year truly reflects your values and your support for our

congregation. Thank you all for making this a special

place! —Diane Ratekin, chair of the Annual Fund Drive,

[email protected].



4 • The Beacon

FROM THE COMMUNITY MINISTER From Rev. Clare ButterfieldCommunity Minister

[email protected]

H

ave we ever left anything in the ground once we

found out we could use it for something, and that

we knew how to get it out? As I prepare to be in the

pulpit at Unity Temple the weekend of Valentine’s Day,

part of the Interfaith Power & Light Preach‐In on Climate

Change weekend, I’ve been thinking about that

question. By the time I get there to be with you I’ll try to

have an example of a time or two when we did that—

left something alone even though we thought going

after it might be to our benefit.

Before he

went

on

sabbatical,

Alan

suggested

that

I

make use of my column space this month to remind

people who I am and what I do at Faith in Place. I’m with

you infrequently enough that the number of people who

don’t know my role keeps growing.

As your community minister I write this column, pop

around occasionally to preach, attend Sunday services

with you when my work doesn’t require me to be

elsewhere, and run Faith in Place. I was one of two

people who founded the organization 11 years ago, with

the idea that religious communities ought to be present

in the

conversation

on

sustainability

and

care

for

the

Earth, but that as far as I could see they mostly weren’t.

That has changed markedly over the last 11 years. We

get some credit for that at Faith in Place. Al Gore gets

more. And Unitarian Universalists, I’m happy to report,

have generally been out in front on these issues. Our

own congregation clearly takes environmental concerns

seriously and practices what it preaches in many ways.

Faith in Place now partners with over 700 congrega‐

tions. They are Catholic, Protestant, UU, Buddhist,

Muslim, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, Sikh, Jewish—everything

that exists in the region and now the state. We have six

full‐time

staff,

one

of

whom

works

in

Champaign

‐Urbana

and the rest in our office downtown in Chicago.

Our programs include everything from discounts on

energy efficient lighting products, to workshops that

include renewable energy contractors, to household

weatherization programs for parishioners. Youth in a

number of Chicago congregations have learned to install

low‐cost weatherization kits from the City of Chicago

and are currently wrapping up the installation of over

700 of them in South and West Side homes (mostly for

elderly residents). We’ve done workshops on container

gardening so

that

congregations

with

very

little

land

could grow a few vegetables for their members. And we

do policy advocacy (like the workshop hosted at Unity

Temple on January 30). We’ll be heading to Springfield in

March to advocate on a number of environmental

issues. On the top of our list for 2011 is a bill (currently

looking for sponsors) that would require any company

interested in doing hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking” as

it’s more

commonly

called)

for

natural

gas

in

Illinois

to

disclose the contents of the formula they would be

injecting. I’ll have more to say about that when I’m with

you on the 16th. We’ve also just about drafted a

curriculum for adult study on water, that will be

available for piloting in March by a few congregations.

Let me know if your chalice circle or small group is

interested!

Faith in Place is about protecting the environment.

It’s also about looking carefully at ourselves—people of a

multitude of faiths—and considering what kind of animal

we are

and

what

our

faiths

suggest

we

should

be.

If

there’s a gap there (and there always is) we need to be

active in seeking to minimize it.

We’ll talk more about this soon.

Unity Temple Has Talent!Lying just below the surface of many a mild‐mannered

UT congregant is a frustrated performer whose soul is

crying out for a moment in the spotlight. Well, here’s

your chance. The somewhat annual Spring Music Fest

returns

this

year

on

Saturday,

April

9.

We

are

looking

for

a few talented individuals to add to our established ros‐

ter of performers. Maybe you’re more of a behind the

scenes kind of person who just enjoys the satisfaction of

helping to stage a rousing production. Either way, oppor‐

tunities abound. For more information on participating,

onstage or backstage, please contact Ray Holdsworth:

708‐848‐8538, [email protected].

Board of Trustees, continued from page 2

congregation's input and support as critical to the

success of Unity Center.

Speaking of the building, I wanted to note one other

item. We dodged a bullet in December with the

successful repair of heating pipes that run from the

boiler to the sanctuary. This served as a good reminder

that an upgrade to our heating plant (and perhaps the

addition of some cooling) is long overdue. The current

system is inefficient, noisy, and on life support. Keep

your fingers crossed!



February 2011 • 5

MUSIC Please join us again for Taizé Service in the Unity

Temple Sanctuary, on Friday, February 25, at 7 p.m.

This service will offer a time for meditation, reflection,

and renewal through music, brief words, and silence.

Come sing, light a candle, and nurture your spirit during

this non‐traditional worship experience—and bring a

friend. The service will conclude before 8 p.m. For more

information, contact Marty Swisher, Music Director, at

[email protected].

Saturday, February 19Ralph Murre, from the shores of Lake Michigan in

Baileys

Harbor,

Wisconsin,

began

writing

poetry

in

his

mid‐50s. In the dozen years since then he has made up

for lost time, bringing his experience in roughly 30

different vocations and as many avocations to bear. He

has published three books of poems, and he has read to

receptive audiences at a variety of locations, from

taverns to temples.

Murre will perform at the 3rd Saturday Coffeehouse

in Unity House on Saturday, February 19. Doors open

7:30, Open Mic at 8, Murre performs at 9. Donation $3‐

$5. Open mic limited to 5 minutes. For more information

call at 708‐660‐9376.

3RD SATRUDAY COFFEEHOUSE

TAIZÉ AT UNITY TEMPLE From the Music DirectorMarty [email protected]

O

n

February

6,

The

Unity

Temple

Choir

will

be

among three choirs featured at the Evanston

Unitarian Church at 2 p.m. Come support this choir at

the inspiring event. This will be our third appearance at

the festival and we will be singing en masse as well with

choirs from The B’hai Temple and the host church. The

event is free and open to the public.

Tenor and UTUUC member Burt Anderson, M.D., will

perform during services on February 6, singing two

English Folksongs and an Italian Aria. Burt has extensive

experience singing as a member of The Unity Temple

Choir as well as festival choruses in the area. He

continues to

pursue

private

vocal

study

and

was

recently

featured in a solo recital with Oak Park pianist Hanna

Voight. On February 13, The Unity Temple Choir will perform

a choral favorite by Jean Berger, If I Can Stop One Heart

From Braking. The following Sunday, February 20, the

Unity Temple Singers will lead the musical offerings with

two songs of hope and inspiration.

The excitement has been building with the much

anticipated appearance of The Unity Temple Chalice

Singers, our children’s choir, which began rehearsals on

January 16.

Featuring

Baritone

Lou

Johnson,

these

24

young singers are going to transform the sanctuary.

Don’t miss this special musical Sunday where The Unity

Temple Choir and Chalice Singers unite in a

multigenerational experience.

Our service…In the style of Taizé continues on

Friday, February 25, at 7 p.m. Come join us for this

service as I lead the service in readings and prayer. Our

instrumental group continues to expand and we

welcome musicians to join us for rehearsals at 5:30 p.m.

the night of service.

Carnegie Hall Concert Preview:Songs of Love and HopeEnjoy

soprano

Natalie

Mann

and

pianist

Jeffrey

Panko

in

a preview of a Carnegie Hall performance that will fea‐

ture Though Love be a Day by Gwyneth Walker, Metro‐

politan Tower and Other Songs by Lori Laitman, and

works by Poulenc, Ravel, Strauss, Rachmaninoff and

Dvorak. Natalie's sister, Stephanie Johnson, will sing as a

guest on this program. A freewill offering will be ac‐

cepted to support Unity Temple and offset travel costs

for the Carnegie Hall concert. Saturday, February 12,

7:30 p.m. at Unity Temple.

Knitting for Peace.Knitters meet on the second and fourth Saturdays of

every month at 2 p.m. in the Gale House. Output is

donated to the University of Chicago Hospital, Project

Linus, and others who we personally are told are in need

because of illness. For more information contact Sarah

Muller at [email protected] or (708) 763‐

8736.



6 • The Beacon

ADULT RELIGIOUS ENRICHMENT

Movies with MeaningGreat films, great conversations and great people

are all

a part

of

the

ongoing,

“Movies

with

Meaning”

series. We meet on the third Thursday of every month

to watch and share insights about fascinating contempo‐

rary films. So join us in the west balcony of Unity

House. Everyone is sincerely welcomed! Films screen at

6 p.m. and are followed by discussion at 8 p.m. For more

information contact Scott Talbot Lewis, 708‐445‐1466 or

[email protected].

Thursday, February 17–La Mission (2009). Benjamin

Brat, in a career‐defining performance, plays a widower

facing the challenge of seeing his son develop into sexual

maturity. Holding

fast

to

the

machismo

common

to

the

mission district of San Francisco, his son and a new

feminist neighbor become the catalyst he needs to

transform into a more loving and open man. (Rated R.)

Thursday, March 17–El Norte (1983). A teenage brother

and sister, Guatemalan refugees, enter the United States

illegally desperately hoping to find a better life. Armed

with the ability and willingness to work hard, as well as

strong familial love, they achieve limited success in Los

Angeles. This ground‐breaking and Oscar nominated

drama exposes the ongoing plight of illegal aliens in the

American southwest.

(Rated

R.)

Parents Support GroupA Parents Support Group for UT families with special

needs children will meet on the third Tuesday of each

month at 709 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone interested please contact Carol DiMatteo or

Tom Dunnington by phone 708‐524‐2859 or email

[email protected].

Career Transition Outreach Every Monday from 8:45–9:45 a.m. at Unity Temple,

Diane Wilson, LCPC, and Brooke McMillan, LCSW, help

those facing job loss and career uncertainty. This

outreach helps participants manage the psychological

and practical aspects of their job transition. Author of

Back in Control , Wilson is a coach, counselor, and

neurofeedback specialist. For more information email

[email protected]. No registration or fees. Caregiver Support GroupThe Caregivers Support Group is held every third

Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the West balcony of

Unity House. This drop‐in group is open to anyone

affected by the caregiver role and will take only 60‐90

minutes of your time once a month. Facilitator: Susan

Anderson [email protected]. No registration or fees.

Purple Sages

Spring 2011 Program Schedule This spring the Purple Sages (Senior Women) will

welcome the following program presentations February

through June 2011:

February 23—Erin K. Hill of SAGE Neuropsychology

Consultants: Approaching Cognitive Thinking.

March 23—Jean Ellzey: Dealing Effectively with Change

as we Age, with focus on residence and lifestyle choices.

April 27—Cathy Blanford: How My Experience as a

Chaplain has Affected my Spirituality.

May 25—Marty Swisher: The Unity Temple Music

Program: Goals and Plans.

June 22—Program to be determined. Suggested

possibilities include a Book report and discussion

of Susan Subak's Rescue and Flight: American Relief

Workers Who Defied the Nazis and Developing Diversity

in our Denomination, and in our Congregation.

The Purple Sages meet the fourth Wednesday of

each month, in the second floor Book Discussion Room

of the Oak Park Public Library, from 11:30 am to 1:30

pm. For more information about the Purple Sages,

consult Joan Van Note 708‐705‐1428 or Joyce Marco

708‐383‐5643.

Prayer StudyThe Adult Enrichment Committee is pleased to offer

you the opportunity to participate in a prayer research

project. Participants will attend two classes, six weeks

apart, and to practice a prayer for 20 minutes a day for

six weeks. You will be asked to complete assessment

forms and to answer a questionnaire mailed at a later

date. Two random groups will be formed; one will be

instructed in a particular prayer technique at the begin‐

ning of the six weeks, the other will be instructed in the

technique at the end of the six weeks. You must be over

the age of 15 and fluent in English. Your participation

may help you become more conscious of how your

thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are affected by certain

spiritual practices.

Carol Lysne will facilitate the class. The first session

is February

12,

from

10

a.m.

to

noon.

The

second

ses

‐

sion will be on March 26, same time, same place. (If you

have a conflict with March 26, you can attend a follow

up meeting on Friday March 25th in Downers Grove, or

Tuesday, March 29th in Naperville. Details at the first

meeting.) To register, contact [email protected].

For more information contact principal investigator Carol

Lysne, [email protected] or 630‐248‐5348.



February 2011 • 7

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION An Invitation to Serve UTUUC

Here at Unity Temple, we talk about the many

benefits we receive by becoming active members of our

thriving congregation. Here, we can engage with others

who share our values. We can live those values through

participation and

service.

We

become

part

of

something

bigger than ourselves, which leads to spiritual growth

and "just plain old feeling good."

So, if you are seeking more connection with your

spiritual community, please consider one of these

opportunities to serve:

• Assist the Worship Committee by becoming a

Sunday Morning Usher once a month.

• Assist the Caring Committee and Pastoral Care

Associates once a month by careful listening and

note taking during Joys and Sorrows.

• Assist the Membership Committee in prepara‐

tions for the new member Welcoming Dinners,

held twice each year.

For more information, please contact Tina Lewis,

Interim Membership Director, at

[email protected] or 708‐848‐6225 x 102. Thank

you.

The Mystical Way: a discussion group ledby Jared NourseMystic: One who seeks by contemplation and self ‐

surrender to obtain union with or absorption into the

Deity. One initiated into the mysteries.

This discussion group will meet on four successive

Saturdays, beginning Saturday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to

noon in Jared's Oak Park Condo on Scoville Park. For

more information, email [email protected].

UTUUC Women’s RetreatAll women are invited to UTUUC’s annual women’s

retreat to be held the weekend of February 25–27 at the

Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien. Our theme this

year

is

“Telling

Our

Stories,”

and

our

keynote

presentation Saturday morning will be led by the

playback theater group “All Things Story.” The retreat

will also feature an opening ceremony Friday evening,

Saturday afternoon workshops, our continuous craft

table and Women’s Wares, Saturday night games and

talent share and closing ceremony Sunday

morning. Women can attend either all weekend or

Saturday only and registration brochure will be available

in December and January. Contact Jenny Earlandson at

708‐524‐1215 or [email protected] for

information and brochure.

Opportunities with Walk-in MinistriesVolunteers

Volunteers work with clients to help evaluate their

needs and

develop

an

action

plan.

We

welcome

new

volunteers and provide orientation and on‐the‐ job

training. To inquire about volunteering, please contact

Catherine Rison at info@walk‐in‐ministryoprf.org.

Shift Managers

Walk‐In Ministry is looking for volunteers with social

service or public health experience who are interested in

being trained to help oversee client service hours. Our

long time site director, Susan Zaruba, will be retiring in

May after many years of volunteer service. We want to

start training volunteers now for a new Shift Manager

role so that they will be prepared by May. Ideal

candidates will be knowledgeable about social service

referral resources and the client intake process and feel

confident in a decision making role. This position could

require 2 to 6 hours per week depending on an

individual's desired level of involvement. Shift Managers

are needed for weekday morning hours as well as

Wednesday evening and Saturday morning hours. If you

are interested in learning more about this specialized

role for Walk‐In Ministry, please contact Cristy Harris,

Executive Director, at 708‐434‐0086 or

[email protected].

VOLUNTEER An All Ages EventWe had so much fun and felt so good last year when we

delivered Valentine's to the residents at Belmont Village

that we are going to do it again! Everyone is invited to

join in! We will make Valentine's on Saturday, February

12, beginning

at

1 p.m.

in

Unity

House.

At

2 p.m.

we

will

caravan over to Belmont Village at 1035 Madison to

break into groups and deliver our gifts. Please join us

in the spirit of love as we reach out to our wider commu‐

nity. Bring any special decorating items you would like

to share. Hope to see you there! RSVP to Tina Lewis at

[email protected] or 708‐848‐6225 x 102.



8 • The Beacon

Mistakes Were Made, but No t by Me*(*Book by psychologists Carol Tavris & Elliot Aronson)

There is a Sipress cartoon in which a husband asks his

wife: “Well, if it doesn’t matter who’s right and who’s

wrong, why

don’t

I be

right,

and

you

be

wrong?”

It

seems that for most of us, most of the time, being right

matters. But why? Why is it so hard to admit that we

might be mistaken?

Reading #1

“The day after the Challenger explosion, Professor

Neisser asked his class of 106 students to write down the

circumstances they were in when they heard about the

tragedy. The students recorded where they were, what

they were doing, who they were with, how the news

came to them, and how they felt. Neisser waited two

and one

‐half

years,

and

then

interviewed

the

students,

asking them once again to recount their experiences

when they learned about the Challenger tragedy. How

accurately did the students remember? … 25 percent

had dramatically different accounts, more than half of

the others had some details wrong, less that 10 percent

remembered the circumstances exactly as they had

previously described them. (Yet) most of the interviewed

students felt sure that their memories were correct—

until they were shown their original journals. And even

then many expressed a high degree of confidence that

their

memories

were

more

accurate

than

the

contradic‐

tory evidence. As one student insisted, ‘That’s my

handwriting, but that’s not what happened.’”

—The Brain Advantage, p. 155‐156.

Focus/Discussion

1. How hard is it for you to admit that you might be

wrong? When it is difficult to do this, what makes it

so difficult? What price do we fear we’ll pay for

admitting that we might be wrong? How valid are

our fears?

2. Psychologist and author Deborar Tannen argues

that many

men

and

women

view

apologies

differently. For many men, to apologize means

admitting guilt and showing weakness ‐ putting

oneself in a one‐down position to the other person.

To many women, to apologize means expressing

regret over what happened without necessarily

taking on guilt, as a way to heal and restore the

relationship. Have you had experiences that support

Tannen’s ideas, or that run counter to them?

3. We can have a lot of different reactions when

someone else

admits

that

they

were

wrong

–

all

the

Join a Chalice Circle,weekdays or any day!

A new daytime, weekday Chalice Circle is forming.

Scott Talbot Lewis will facilitate. In addition, there

are

15

other

Chalice

Circles

with

many

possible

schedules and times for meeting. Chalice Circles

create openings for trust, friendship, honesty, growth

and reflection. They are a spiritual practice. We

welcome adults of all ages. Be known as you are, join

a group today. For information about joining any

Chalice Circle or facilitator training contact Marge

Entemann at [email protected] or 708‐445‐8544. 70

The group from the SW suburbs—Westchester to

Downers Grove to Lisle—meets Friday nights and is

looking for new members.

CHALICE CIRCLES way from feeling victorious or vindicated to

respecting them for taking responsibility for what

happened. What are some of the different reactions

you’ve experienced when others have admitted

mistakes? What influences which reaction you

have?

4. If

we

want

to

grow

spiritually,

how

important

is

it

that we be able to it when we’ve been wrong? Closing Readings “There’s a saying that says ‘the world is divided into

those who think they’re right’ ‐ and that’s the whole

saying.”

—From a lecture by Tara Brach, PhD, co‐founder of the

Washington Buddhist Peace Fellowship and author of

Radical Acceptance – Embracing Your Life with the Heart

of a Buddha.

A great nation is like a great man:

When he makes a mistake, he realizes it.

Having realized it, he admits it.

Having admitted it, he corrects it.

He considers those who point out his faults

as his most benevolent teachers. —Stephen Mitchell’s modern translation of the Tao Te

Ching, in homage to Lao Tzu (ca. 500 B.C.)

Chalice Circle Facilitator Training

Tuesday, February

22,

7 to

9 p.m.

Chalice Circle Facilitator Training

Chalice Circle Ministry Team presents facilitator training

for current facilitators, new facilitators and those who

are interested in becoming a co‐facilitator.



February 2011 • 9

Talk to Candidates at Unity TempleCitizens for Community Conversation is putting together

"A Chance for All Voices To Be Heard," at Unity Temple

on Sunday, February 27, at 5 p.m. Candidates for Village

Board, Park

Board,

Library

Board,

and

districts

200

and

97 Boards for the April election are invited to this open

"Meet and Greet" to answer citizen questions. Come and

ask questions, listen, and let your opinions be known.

We are also asking members of the community to

submit questions to be presented to each candidate.

Please submit your questions using the form at http://

community‐conversations.org/election/questions.php

no later than February 6. We will then invite each

candidates to be interviewed on video using these

questions and place each interview on our web site, so

every citizen can make an informed decision on voting

day.

Immigration Teach-InNo Human Being Is Illegal: Immigration Teach‐In for the

entire community takes place on Saturday, March 26

from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Unity House. Registration

begins at 8:30 a.m. Topics covered by expert presenters

will include federal and state immigration laws, policies

and practices; trade and economic issues; detention and

deportation practices; and more. The program builds on

the Standing on the Side of Love initiative sponsored

through UUA.

We

invite

all

to

learn

more

about

this

complicated human rights issue. Register at immigration‐

[email protected]. A suggested registration fee

of $15 includes lunch, coffee and snacks. For more

information contact Shirley Lundin slund‐

[email protected] or 708‐784‐0970. Come and bring

others!

Unity Temple Gives...The generosity of our congregation is making a

difference in people’s lives. Every Sunday our

collection plate offerings are donated to a worthy

charitable organization in support of our mission and

values. During the month of December 2010, your

weekly collection donations contributed the following

amounts to these organizations:

OPRF Walk‐In Ministry: $1,898.10

West Suburban PADS: $3,901.32

Thank you for your generosity!

History is important. I'm a firm believer that if we

know the history of a thing, we will have a greater

understanding of how the thing functions today. In

times past congregations called a minister to serve their

spiritual needs and elected deacons to administer the

temporal needs of the church. With the advent of policy

governance and changing times, such a line is no longer

meaningful. But it does help us understand the two‐fold

nature of the way we offer support to our members and

friends. Pastoral Associates minister to the spirit, while

Caring Team members help with the physical necessities

of life.

The Pastoral

Associates,

Jean

Borelli,

Mary

Marling,

Jim Walwark, John Wood and I, are here to be sounding

boards and confidants. Our charge is to provide

conscientious companionship for those who may be in

need of it, for whatever reason. It does not need to be a

life crisis, but sometimes it may be. Our spiritual well‐

being thrives through caring for and being cared for by

others. We Pastoral Associates know that and meet

regularly to increase our knowledge and strengthen our

preparedness for whatever thoughts and feelings we

encounter as we serve the religious community of the

Unity Temple

Unitarian

Universalist

Congregation.

The Caring Team has the different, yet equally

important, mission of providing for the temporal needs

of individuals and families who need a helping

hand. Janet Holden, Suzanne Lavin and Shirley Lundin

head up a network of members and friends who are able

to step in to provide support. Food, transportation and

household support are some of the tasks volunteers are

willing to provide.

In many ways it’s a false distinction, but a historical

one that church systems are often structured on the

basis of the spiritual and the temporal, but I hope it

clarifies how

each

group

functions.

Remember

too

that

strong lines of communication exist between us, while

still maintaining the utmost discretion. Please contact

me at 708‐250‐6810 if you want to know

more. Remember, it is blessed to receive as well as to

serve.

SABBATICAL MINISTER FOR PASTORAL CARE Scott Talbot Lewis [email protected]

SOCIAL MISSION



10 • The Beacon

UNITY TEMPLE RESTORATION FOUNDATION

The 38th season of the Unity Temple Concert Series

continues Saturday, February 26, at 7:30 p.m., with The

Newberry Consort. The Chicago‐based Consort is

America’s premier early music ensemble. Performing on

period instruments, they will present rarely heard music

from 1860’s America, including popular songs, minstrel

music, and country music, and will feature compositions

by Louis

Gottschalk

and

William

Morris.

Please

join

us

for this historically enlightening evening of music. Tickets

can be purchased online at www.utconcerts.com or by

phone at 800‐838‐3006.

UT CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS THE NEWBERRY CONSORT

Restoration PrioritiesThe most important restoration projects continue to be

those that help secure and stabilize the “building

envelope,” meaning the repair of the concrete roof slabs and walls, including the roof drainage systems, and the

conservation of the art glass. To complete the top

priority projects, $5 to $7 million is needed. This work is

the focus of fundraising efforts. Additionally, we are

working to implement the first phase of the “green”

geothermal interior climate control system. Construction

drawings for the entire system are complete. We

continue to seek funding for this work, as well. Please

note that this spring, we plan to begin work on an art

glass restoration project, restoring a portion of the tall,

narrow windows

in

the

sanctuary

with

a grant

from

The

Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.

Programs to Support the RestorationUTRF offers programs to increase the public’s awareness

of Unity Temple’s significance and its urgent need for

restoration. Bringing new audiences to Unity Temple

helps increase the public’s engagement with the work of

Unity Temple Restoration Foundation, i.e. raising funds

for the restoration.

Break ::

the

::

Box

Momenta Repertory Ensemble :: Principles of Dance

Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3 p.m. and Sunday, February 20, 2011, 3 p.m. With Frank Lloyd Wright's "Noble Room" as a point of

reference, Momenta Repertory Ensemble will premiere

nine new works choreographed specifically for the

spaces of Unity Temple. Accompanied by live music, the

program will touch on the similarities of the principles of

architecture and dance, and will explore the elements of

movement composition. Admission: $15 UTRF members,

students and seniors; $20 non‐members.

Break :: the :: Box

Blair Kamin :: Terror and Wonder: Architecture in a

Tumultuous Age

Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7:30 p.m. The Pulitzer Prize‐winning architecture critic for the

Chicago Tribune surveys the period bracketed by the

September 11 terrorist attacks and the opening of the

world's tallest building in Dubai. As his new book reveals,

this was an era of extreme oscillation—between artistic

triumph and urban disaster, frugal energy‐saving

architecture and

giddy

design

excess.

It

was

a time

of

terror and wonder, and buildings were central to its

narrative. Admission: $10 UTRF members, students and

seniors; $15 non‐members. Note: UTRF’s major donors

are invited to an intimate reception with Blair Kamin in

Unity House prior to the talk.

Fundraising Event

Wine, Chocolate

&

Architecture

Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7 to 9 p.m. Wine and chocolate have always been a well‐matched

pair. Add the romance of candlelit Unity Temple—Frank

Lloyd Wright's timeless modern masterpiece—for the

perfect romantic trio for Valentine's Day. Unity Temple

Restoration Foundation, Marion Street Cheese Market

and Kathy Reller Designs team up to bring you a unique

experience enhanced with fine wines, artisan chocolates,

handmade jewelry and beautiful gemstones. Proceeds

will benefit the restoration of Unity Temple, Oak Park's

very own

gem.

Space

is

limited,

so

make

your

reserva

‐

tions today. $30 per person in advance, $37 at the door.

50 percent of each ticket is tax‐deductible.



February 2011 • 11

Board of [email protected]

Duane Dowell President

Ian Morrison Vice President

Margaret Ewing Secretary

Glenn Brewer Treasurer

Jean Borrelli Betsy Davis

Nina Gegenheimer

Jay Peterson

David Ripley

Diane Scott

Jennifer Walters

Polly Walwark Our Staff For all calls, please dial 708‐848‐6225

and then

your

party’s

extension:

Rev. Alan C. Taylor, Senior Minister

On sabbatical through June 30, 2011

Rev. Emily Gage, Minister of Faith Development

x103 [email protected]

Tina Lewis, Interim Membership Director


David Wilke, Director of Administration


Martha Swisher,

Music

Director

[email protected]

Heather Godbout, Youth Coordinator

X107 [email protected]

Meridian Herman, Rental Manager


Sule Kivanc‐Ancieta, Preschool Coordinator

Janet Krumm, Nursery Coordinator

David Osorio, Sexton

Rito Salinas, Sexton

Peter Storms, Accompanist

Jennifer Flynn, Publications Assistant

X105 [email protected]

Tracy Zurawski, Bookkeeper


Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield, Community Minister

[email protected]

WWW.UNITYTEMPLE.ORG

EVENTS NOT TO MISS THIS MONTH

February 6 Introduction to UU

1 p.m., Unity House

Evanston Choral Fest

2 p.m., Unitarian Church of Evanston

February 12

Knitting

for

Peace

2 p.m., Gale House

Carnegie Hall Concert Preview:

Songs of Love and Hope

7:30 p.m., Unity Temple

February 13, 20 Pathways to Membership

1 p.m., Unity House

February 16 Interfaith Green Summit

6:30 p.m., OP Main Branch Library

February 17 Movie: La Mission (2009)

6 p.m.,

Unity

House

February 19 3rd Saturday Coffeehouse


February 23 Purple Sages (Senior Women)

11:30 a.m., Oak Park Library

February 25 Taizé Service

7 p.m., Sanctuary

February 25‐27 UTUUC Women’s Retreat

Carmelite Spiritual Center, Darien

February

26

UTCS

Presents

The

Newberry

Consort


Knitting for Peace

2 p.m., Gale House

Visit Our Calendar Online!All Congregation events and activities are listed on our

web calendar at www.unitytemple.org/calendar.

There you can find real‐time listings of everything oc‐

curring at Unity Temple as well as schedule rooms.

Select Add Event at the top of the calendar and com‐

plete the web form. You will receive an email when

your UTUUC event as been confirmed.

BEACON Newsletter SubmissionsMarch 2011 Beacon submissions are due at 10 a.m. on

Februrary 21. Email [email protected].

Be a Beacon-folding Hero!Come and help us distribute our beautiful Beacon to

the masses! Our next Beacon folding party will happen

on Friday,

February

25,

at

9:15

a.m.

Thank

you!



C h a n g e s e rv ic e r e q u e s te d

Nonprofit

Organization

US POSTAGE

PAID

Oak Park, IL 60301

Permit No. 305

Unity Temple

Unitarian Universalist Congregation

875 Lake StreetOak Park, IL 60301708/848-6225

www.unitytemple.org

Sunday Services are at 9 & 10:45 a.m.

February 6

Ordinary Heroes: Worship for All Ages Rev. Emily Gage

Offering: People’s Church Homeless Ministry

February 13

On Leaving Things in the Ground

Rev. Clare Butterfield

Offering: Faith In Place

February 20

Culture Shock?

Rev. Emily Gage

Offering: Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Upcoming Services

February 27

Deliver Us From Evil Rev. John Bruhrens

Offering: Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

February 25

at

7 p.m.

Taizé at Unity Temple

Documents

BEACON February 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation